Congenital abnormalities and pathologies are some of the most fascinating diagnostically. Situs inversus, a condition in which the organs of the body are flipped to face the other side, is one of the most enthralling to behold. Typically occurring genetically, it is extremely rare, occurring only in 0.01% of the population (Nall, 2014). This congenital abnormality can be demonstrated on not only diagnostic radiography, but also computed tomography and ultrasound. The prognosis for patients suffering from this disorder is optimistic, generally little to no treatment is required. By examining the abnormality, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis, it will become apparent that situs inverses, while a major abnormality, is an easily managed
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The most common type of situs inversus is dextrocardia, a true mirror image of both the thorax and the abdomen, with only 3-5% incidence of congenital heart disease (Gillard, 2015). However, in the case of levocardia in which the thorax is anatomically correct and the abdomen is reversed, some patients can suffer from cardiac issues and pulmonary issues (Nell, 2015). Conferring to Gillard, situs inversus with levocardia (a much rarer: 0.00005%) congenital heart disease is found in 95% of patients. According to Nell, “…patients can experience cardiac dysfunction or a lung condition called primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), which causes mucus buildup in the lungs. This can lead to chronic bronchitis and sinusitis. Individuals with situs inversus and PCD are said to have Kartagener syndrome. “Kartagener syndrome is a hereditary ailment caused by a gene imperfection; this means that an individual must receive the gene from both the father and mother in order to be affected. Abnormalities of the respiratory tract and transpositioning of organs may occur with Kartagener syndrome (Rice, …show more content…
In diagnostic radiography, situs inversus can be diagnosed with a simple chest x-ray (if the patient suffers from dextrocardia) or a KUB (if the patient suffers from dextrocardia or levocardia). Other exams, such a fluoroscopy procedures, may also demonstrate this anatomy as well. CT with its 3D capabilities also shows situs inversus and may more accurately identify the type of situs inversus, as one exam can demonstrate both the chest and abdomen in several planes of view. This is similar to the capabilities of MRI. Finally Wilhelm states “…ultrasonography demonstrates the mirror-image anatomy of the abdominal viscera. Fetal ultrasonography can be used to detect situs inversus in utero; detection of this condition in utero alerts the physician to the possibility of congenital heart disease, which then warrants a careful cardiac evaluation.” All of these modalities aid in the diagnosis of situs
The most common type of situs inversus is dextrocardia, a true mirror image of both the thorax and the abdomen, with only 3-5% incidence of congenital heart disease (Gillard, 2015). However, in the case of levocardia in which the thorax is anatomically correct and the abdomen is reversed, some patients can suffer from cardiac issues and pulmonary issues (Nell, 2015). Conferring to Gillard, situs inversus with levocardia (a much rarer: 0.00005%) congenital heart disease is found in 95% of patients. According to Nell, “…patients can experience cardiac dysfunction or a lung condition called primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD), which causes mucus buildup in the lungs. This can lead to chronic bronchitis and sinusitis. Individuals with situs inversus and PCD are said to have Kartagener syndrome. “Kartagener syndrome is a hereditary ailment caused by a gene imperfection; this means that an individual must receive the gene from both the father and mother in order to be affected. Abnormalities of the respiratory tract and transpositioning of organs may occur with Kartagener syndrome (Rice, …show more content…
In diagnostic radiography, situs inversus can be diagnosed with a simple chest x-ray (if the patient suffers from dextrocardia) or a KUB (if the patient suffers from dextrocardia or levocardia). Other exams, such a fluoroscopy procedures, may also demonstrate this anatomy as well. CT with its 3D capabilities also shows situs inversus and may more accurately identify the type of situs inversus, as one exam can demonstrate both the chest and abdomen in several planes of view. This is similar to the capabilities of MRI. Finally Wilhelm states “…ultrasonography demonstrates the mirror-image anatomy of the abdominal viscera. Fetal ultrasonography can be used to detect situs inversus in utero; detection of this condition in utero alerts the physician to the possibility of congenital heart disease, which then warrants a careful cardiac evaluation.” All of these modalities aid in the diagnosis of situs